Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Other Big Game => Topic started by: harveymarv on April 18, 2025, 09:35:37 AM

Title: new mexico oryx
Post by: harveymarv on April 18, 2025, 09:35:37 AM: I got lucky and drew an off-range oryx tag in New Mexico in November. Anyone have any tips or jumping off points on this hunt? I’ve heard oryx is delicious and this will be my first time to New Mexico so I’m pretty stoked..
Title: Re: new mexico oryx
Post by: redi on April 18, 2025, 11:51:16 AM: No sorry. Definitely a bucket list congratulations and keep us posted on how you do. Good luck
Title: Re: new mexico oryx
Post by: boneaddict on April 18, 2025, 12:03:27 PM: I put in for years but never drew a ticket. I hope you have a great experience.
Title: Re: new mexico oryx
Post by: time2hunt on April 18, 2025, 12:16:04 PM: Study up on shot placement is my first recommendation. Second is that they are a flighty like antelope and when they take off they go for miles. And yes they are probably one of the best eating game animal I’ve killed. Once you kill one you need to get it gutted and skinned out they have a thick hide and hold heat. Good luck it’s a fun hunt.

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Title: Re: new mexico oryx
Post by: Rob on April 18, 2025, 05:07:46 PM: Gemsbok are tough animals. Select your firearm like you are hunting big elk.

Both males and females have horns. The female horns are usually longer than the males but they considerably thinner. The male horns are thick and stocky. Both are good trophies.

It can be very hard to judge a trophy are the horns are roughly proportional to the size of the animal. Basically two gemsbok can look the same size, but with closer observation one might turn out to be significantly larger, just at a different distance.

They are TOUGH. Keep shooting till it is down and keep your sights on it until you are positive it is not coming back up. Their barrel chested tall torsos make for an odd sight picture. If you are following up make sure you are shooting at the same animal. They are like clones of each other and all look the same. If a wounded one mingles with the herd it can be difficult to figure out which one is which. Someone I know.... made a poor first shot on one in Namibia. It took 8 follow-up hits with a 338 Winmag at ranges 60 - 100 yards to anchor it. It will go down easy with a good shot but make a bad one and they soak up lead like wet newspaper.

I went to school in Las Cruces and we use to see them from time to time along hwy 70 while on the way to hunt in Cloudcroft/Ruidoso. I always dreamed of hunting them at Whitsands! Congrats and savor the hunt! Start putting in for Ibex in the NM Florida mountians near Grant's NM next!
Title: Re: new mexico oryx
Post by: Rob on April 18, 2025, 06:06:06 PM: I cannot recomend this book high enough for African game.

The perfect shot by Kevin Doctori. (Version 1 and 2 are both great).

It covers animal descriptions, rifle cartridge recommendations, bullet construction recommendations trophy assessment, and of course shot placement. I verified perfect shot 1 and 2 both have gemsbok.

My copies are dog eared.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/126606957636
Title: Re: new mexico oryx
Post by: 280ackley on April 18, 2025, 10:42:00 PM: I hunted them on the White Sands quite a few years ago. Everything said above is accurate, shot placement is important, they are flighty and they are delicious. I took mine with a .300 WSM pushing 168gr Barnes TSX.
Title: Re: new mexico oryx
Post by: nwwanderer on April 19, 2025, 09:14:01 AM: Check out Hunt'n Fool, heed the glass and fuel is cheaper in NM!!! Great luck
Title: Re: new mexico oryx
Post by: pd on April 19, 2025, 09:40:05 AM: A general observation: I know nothing about the target species, but for a Washington state based hunting forum, there is a lot of great information for the topic. I am very impressed!
Title: Re: new mexico oryx
Post by: b0bbyg on April 19, 2025, 10:08:14 AM: Have family down in Las Cruces, have heard they are one of the best eating game animals around there. Brother in law has seen them where mentioned above when out hiking or rock hounding
Title: Re: new mexico oryx
Post by: harveymarv on April 20, 2025, 03:58:57 PM: thanks for the tips; I'll hopefully have a good story to tell after November